Helena National Forest; Montana; Blackfoot Travel Plan EIS, 66718-66719 [2010-27353]

Download as PDF 66718 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 209 / Friday, October 29, 2010 / Notices Telephone: (202) 690–1078, FAX: (202) 720–8435. Title: 7 CFR Part 1744, Subpart B, ‘‘Lien Accommodations and Subordination Policy.’’ OMB Control Number: 0572–0126. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Recent changes in the telecommunications industry, including deregulation and technological developments, have caused RUS borrowers and other organizations providing telecommunications services in rural areas to consider undertaking projects that provide new telecommunications services and other telecommunications services not ordinarily financed by RUS. To facilitate the financing of those projects and services, this program helps to facilitate funding from non-RUS sources in order to meet the growing capital needs of rural Local Exchange Carriers (LECs). Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response. Respondents: Business or other forprofit and non-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 30. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 23. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720–7853, FAX: (202) 720–8435. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: October 21, 2010. James R. Newby, Chief of Staff, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2010–27269 Filed 10–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Helena National Forest; Montana; Blackfoot Travel Plan EIS Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The Helena National Forest is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of proposed changes to the existing motorized public access routes and SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:23 Oct 28, 2010 Jkt 223001 prohibitions within the Blackfoot travel planning area. Consistent with the Forest Service travel planning regulations, the resulting available public motorized access routes and areas would be designated on a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Upon publishing the MVUM, public use of a motor vehicle other than in accordance with those designations would be prohibited. Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by November 29, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected July 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected January 2012. DATES: Send written comments to the Helena National Forest Lincoln Ranger District, 1569 Hwy 200, Lincoln, MT 59639. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-northernhelena-lincoln@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 406–362–4253. Please indicate the name ‘‘Blackfoot Travel Plan’’ in the subject line of your e-mail. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Heinert, Interdisciplinary Team Leader (406) 362–7000 or e-mail jmheinert@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action The overall objective of this proposal is to provide a manageable system of designated public motorized access routes and areas within the Blackfoot Travel area, consistent with and to achieve the purposes of Forest Service travel management regulations at 36 CFR 212 Subpart B. The existing system of available public motor vehicle routes and areas in the Blackfoot Travel area is the culmination of multiple agency decisions over recent decades. Public motor vehicle use of the majority of this available system continues to be manageable and consistent with the current travel management regulation. Exceptions have been identified, based on public input and the criteria listed at 36 CFR 212.55, and in these cases changes are proposed to meet the overall objectives. The decisions will ensure compliance with the Forest Plan and Interagency requirements for grizzly bear security and habitat within the recovery zone. PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Proposed Action The Helena National Forest proposes the following changes to the existing motorized public access routes and prohibitions within the Blackfoot travel planning area. Consistent with the travel planning regulations at 36 CFR 212 Subpart B, the resulting available public motorized access routes and areas would be designated on a Motor Vehicle Use Map and the prohibition at 36 CFR 261.13 would take effect. 36 CFR 261.13 would prohibit public use of a motor vehicle other than in accordance with those designations. The proposed action would: • Change 1.8 miles of currently closed yearlong routes or user-created routes to open with seasonal restrictions. • Change 5.1 miles of seasonally restricted routes to having a different seasonal restriction. • Change 6.7 miles of currently closed yearlong or user-created routes to being open yearlong. • Change 9.4 miles of seasonally restricted routes to become open yearlong. • Put 82.1 miles of currently open routes into storage (where routes are self-maintaining in non-use status for up to 20 years by re-contouring access points, and removing culverts). • Change 2.5 miles of open seasonally or open yearlong routes to closed yearlong. • Close 7.9 miles (estimated) of usercreated routes. • Create 41.4 miles of new motorized trails from currently seasonally restricted, open yearlong, user-created, and previously decommissioned routes. • Create 1.5 miles of single-track motorized trail from currently doubletrack motorized trail. • Construct 1.6 miles of new road. • Place 65.5 miles of currently closed routes into storage. • Place 82.1 miles of currently open routes into storage. • Obliterate 8.1 miles of closed yearlong, open yearlong, or user-created routes. • Create 5.5 miles of non-motorized trails from currently closed or usercreated routes. • Create 1.5 miles of non-motorized trails from currently open or seasonally restricted routes. • Create 13.7 miles of non-motorized trails from currently single or doubletrack motorized routes. • Create 33 miles of mountain bike trails on Forest Service land (may also include non-motorized or motorized uses). E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 209 / Friday, October 29, 2010 / Notices Dated: October 21, 2010. Kevin Riordan, Forest Supervisor. Nature of Decision To Be Made The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed action or meet the purpose and need for action through some other alternative. He will consider the comments, disclosures of environmental consequences, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making the decision and stating the rationale in the Record of Decision. BILLING CODE 3410–11–P Preliminary Issues Public input from previous scoping processes, and through input gathered from collaboration identified several areas of particular interest to the public. Many comments spoke specifically to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, the Helmville-Gould trail, grizzly bear, elk, and bull trout habitat and conflicts with motorized and nonmotorized uses. These topics generated the most public interest regarding motorized and non-motorized uses. WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Responsible Official The Responsible Official is Kevin Riordan, Helena National Forest Supervisor. AGENCY: [FR Doc. 2010–27353 Filed 10–28–10; 8:45 am] Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency’s preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Two opportunities to provide public comments in person will be provided. Staff members will be available on November 18 and November 30, 2010 from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. MDT at the Lincoln Ranger District, 1569 Hwy 200 Lincoln, Montana to visit with the public and discuss site-specific comments. If an individual, group or organization has any questions or would like to set up a meeting or field trip please contact Jaclyn Heinert at the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena National Forest (406) 362–7000. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:23 Oct 28, 2010 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Caribou-Targhee National Forest; Idaho and Wyoming; Revision of the Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Forest Service, USDA. Revision of the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Forest Plan Amendment to the 1997 Revised Forest Plan for the Targhee National Forest, located in Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties, ID, and Teton and Lincoln counties, WY. The previous Notices of Intent were published in the Federal Register on May 30, 2007 (72(103):29948–29949, as ‘‘Big Bend Ridge Vegetation Management Project and Timber Sale Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Targhee Revised Forest Plan Amendment’’) and on May 21, 2008 (73(99):29480–29481, as ‘‘Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Targhee Revised Forest Plan With Proposed Forest Plan Amendment’’). ACTION: The Caribou-Targhee National Forest (Forest) published two notices of intent (May 2007 and May 2008) to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) to amend the 1997 Revised Forest Plan (1997 Plan) for the Targhee portion of the Forest (Targhee). The Forest has revised the proposed amendment and will prepare an EIS instead of a supplemental EIS to amend the 1997 Plan. The revised proposed amendment: (1) Provides direction to maintain the characteristics of old-growth forests where they exist and eliminate a ‘‘quota’’ for old-growth and late-seral forested vegetation by principal watershed or ecological subsection; (2) replaces requirements for maintaining ‘‘biological potential’’ with clear direction for snag retention to provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds; and (3) provides direction to maintain habitat in northern goshawk, boreal owl and great gray owl territories affected by vegetation projects. The Forest believes these new approaches to vegetation management would better provide wildlife habitat. The Forest seeks comments on the revised proposal in SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66719 order to: (1) Clarify the issues, (2) decide how the proposed amendment may need to be modified, and (3) determine whether or not it is necessary to develop additional alternative(s) for analysis in the draft EIS. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of this analysis must be received by November 29, 2010. The draft EIS is expected in January 2011. The final EIS is expected in April 2011. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Megan Bogle, Forest Planner, CaribouTarghee National Forest, P.O. Box 777, Driggs, Idaho 83422. Electronic comments can be sent to commentsintermtn-caribou-targhee@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Bogle, Forest Planner, CaribouTarghee National Forest, P.O. Box 777, Driggs, Idaho 83422. Additional information on the proposed Plan Amendment may be accessed by clicking on the ‘‘NEPA documents for projects’’ link on the Forest Web site: https://www.fs.fed.us/r4/caribou-targhee/ projects/. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of and Need for the Action The 1997 Plan includes direction that has proven difficult to implement. Specifically, the 1997 Plan requires 20 percent of forested vegetation be maintained in the old-growth and lateseral age classes in each principal watershed. After much deliberation, the Forest believes that 1997 Plan direction to maintain a certain amount of oldgrowth and late-seral vegetation does not reflect the ecological capability of the Targhee. Because of the stand characteristics of lodgepole pine and aspen cover types, and the frequency of natural change and disturbances in the ecosystem, some principal watersheds may never meet the 20 percent guideline. Consequently, the Forest proposes to amend the 1997 Plan to maintain old-growth forests where they actually occur. The concept of biological potential used in the 1997 Plan has also proven problematic because of conflicting requirements at the watershed scale and Management Prescription scale. Clear and practical direction is necessary to ensure that adequate numbers of snags and/or green trees having evidence of cavities, nesting activity, or decadence would be retained where commercial timber harvest occurs. E:\FR\FM\29OCN1.SGM 29OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66718-66719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27353]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Helena National Forest; Montana; Blackfoot Travel Plan EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Helena National Forest is preparing an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of proposed changes to 
the existing motorized public access routes and prohibitions within the 
Blackfoot travel planning area. Consistent with the Forest Service 
travel planning regulations, the resulting available public motorized 
access routes and areas would be designated on a Motor Vehicle Use Map 
(MVUM). Upon publishing the MVUM, public use of a motor vehicle other 
than in accordance with those designations would be prohibited.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by November 29, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected July 2011 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected January 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Helena National Forest Lincoln 
Ranger District, 1569 Hwy 200, Lincoln, MT 59639. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to comments-northern-helena-lincoln@fs.fed.us, or via 
facsimile to 406-362-4253. Please indicate the name ``Blackfoot Travel 
Plan'' in the subject line of your e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Heinert, Interdisciplinary Team 
Leader (406) 362-7000 or e-mail jmheinert@fs.fed.us. Individuals who 
use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The overall objective of this proposal is to provide a manageable 
system of designated public motorized access routes and areas within 
the Blackfoot Travel area, consistent with and to achieve the purposes 
of Forest Service travel management regulations at 36 CFR 212 Subpart 
B. The existing system of available public motor vehicle routes and 
areas in the Blackfoot Travel area is the culmination of multiple 
agency decisions over recent decades. Public motor vehicle use of the 
majority of this available system continues to be manageable and 
consistent with the current travel management regulation. Exceptions 
have been identified, based on public input and the criteria listed at 
36 CFR 212.55, and in these cases changes are proposed to meet the 
overall objectives. The decisions will ensure compliance with the 
Forest Plan and Interagency requirements for grizzly bear security and 
habitat within the recovery zone.

Proposed Action

    The Helena National Forest proposes the following changes to the 
existing motorized public access routes and prohibitions within the 
Blackfoot travel planning area. Consistent with the travel planning 
regulations at 36 CFR 212 Subpart B, the resulting available public 
motorized access routes and areas would be designated on a Motor 
Vehicle Use Map and the prohibition at 36 CFR 261.13 would take effect. 
36 CFR 261.13 would prohibit public use of a motor vehicle other than 
in accordance with those designations.
    The proposed action would:
     Change 1.8 miles of currently closed yearlong routes or 
user-created routes to open with seasonal restrictions.
     Change 5.1 miles of seasonally restricted routes to having 
a different seasonal restriction.
     Change 6.7 miles of currently closed yearlong or user-
created routes to being open yearlong.
     Change 9.4 miles of seasonally restricted routes to become 
open yearlong.
     Put 82.1 miles of currently open routes into storage 
(where routes are self-maintaining in non-use status for up to 20 years 
by re-contouring access points, and removing culverts).
     Change 2.5 miles of open seasonally or open yearlong 
routes to closed yearlong.
     Close 7.9 miles (estimated) of user-created routes.
     Create 41.4 miles of new motorized trails from currently 
seasonally restricted, open yearlong, user-created, and previously 
decommissioned routes.
     Create 1.5 miles of single-track motorized trail from 
currently double-track motorized trail.
     Construct 1.6 miles of new road.
     Place 65.5 miles of currently closed routes into storage.
     Place 82.1 miles of currently open routes into storage.
     Obliterate 8.1 miles of closed yearlong, open yearlong, or 
user-created routes.
     Create 5.5 miles of non-motorized trails from currently 
closed or user-created routes.
     Create 1.5 miles of non-motorized trails from currently 
open or seasonally restricted routes.
     Create 13.7 miles of non-motorized trails from currently 
single or double-track motorized routes.
     Create 33 miles of mountain bike trails on Forest Service 
land (may also include non-motorized or motorized uses).

[[Page 66719]]

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is Kevin Riordan, Helena National Forest 
Supervisor.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed action 
or meet the purpose and need for action through some other alternative. 
He will consider the comments, disclosures of environmental 
consequences, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making 
the decision and stating the rationale in the Record of Decision.

Preliminary Issues

    Public input from previous scoping processes, and through input 
gathered from collaboration identified several areas of particular 
interest to the public. Many comments spoke specifically to the 
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, the Helmville-Gould trail, 
grizzly bear, elk, and bull trout habitat and conflicts with motorized 
and non-motorized uses. These topics generated the most public interest 
regarding motorized and non-motorized uses.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. It is important 
that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way 
that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore, 
comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period 
and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide 
the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.
    Two opportunities to provide public comments in person will be 
provided. Staff members will be available on November 18 and November 
30, 2010 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. MDT at the Lincoln Ranger District, 1569 
Hwy 200 Lincoln, Montana to visit with the public and discuss site-
specific comments. If an individual, group or organization has any 
questions or would like to set up a meeting or field trip please 
contact Jaclyn Heinert at the Lincoln Ranger District of the Helena 
National Forest (406) 362-7000.

     Dated: October 21, 2010.
Kevin Riordan,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-27353 Filed 10-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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